The English Whisky Co is, you guessed it, an English whisky company! It produces quite young whiskies and releases them in “chapters”. I had the opportunity to blind taste chapter 6 (unpeated) and, frankly, I was not impressed. It tasted like a grain or wheat vodka on the palate, and pierced my nose with alcohol – do yourself a favour and (in my opinion) give Grey Goose Vodka a try! I am not impressed with this whisky, it lacks complexity and does not have an enjoyable finish. I gave it an extra star because it has a pretty interesting nose!

Colour

This whisky is a very light straw color almost like a diluted white wine.

Nose

The nose is very sharp with bursts of acidity, and a musty smell wafts in the air similar to apple cider vinegar. Dried apple develops on the nose, with a sweetness intertwined with the dryness of chardonnay and the acidity of apple cider vinegar. Notes of apple pieces are also noticeable; green apple like a granny smith apple.

Taste

On the palate this whisky has a strong delivery with an explosion akin to a wheat vodka with some apple. This is a very young whisky. It is quite alcoholic, with some bitter punch and harsh on the palate. It is harsh and grainy on the palate, leaving what I would describe as an unsavoury taste.

Finish

The finish lasts for a while, but it leaves a bitter, almost medicinal, flavour on the tongue that I do not particularly enjoy.

With water

The alcohol is still noticeable, still conjuring memories of a wheat vodka I chugged down on a tasting at duty free (Grey Goose, for example!).

To appreciate this whisky, be sure to try it alongside some other white spirits like vodka. It has a lovely nose but I think it collapses in a nervous heap on the taste and finish.

One Response to English Whisky Co, Chapter 6, Unpeated

Very fair, i bought some following rave reviews but found it very unbalanced and still closed. Never went back to try more mature chapters, a case of once bitten, twice shy. Recently i was able to try a new presentation, simply called “The English”, without age statement. So much better…light, sweet, smooth with no prominent ethanol. It is now a good whisky and beginning to show its potential, in the Lowland Scottish style. I liked it. The spirit is clearly of good quality and just needed more time…